Juvenile Court

Juvenile Offender

A juvenile offender is defined by state law as a person who is at least 10 but under 17 years of age and charged with a criminal offense.

A parent or legal guardian must appear along with the juvenile during all court proceedings. You are not allowed to appear by mail or by phone. You have an absolute right to be accompanied by your retained attorney.

Your license to drive may be lost if you fail to discharge your obligations in this court. Your license can be suspended or denied for:

Failing to appear in court for your citation;
Failing to pay or discharge your fine and costs;
Failing to present proof of taking a alcohol or tobacco course;
Being held in contempt for violating the court's judgment.

A period of Driver's License suspension is also mandatory on conviction of DUI and other minor alcohol violations.

Continuing Obligation to Appear and Notify Court of Address Change

You, and your parents or guardians, have a duty to continue appearing in court even after you reach 17. If you fail to appear in this case after your 17th birthday and notification by this court, you can be charged with an additional offense and arrested. You, and your parents or guardians, also have an obligation to inform the court each time you change addresses. You must notify the court within 10 days of each change of address. This obligation continues until your case is fully resolved and all fines and costs are paid or discharged. Failure to make a proper notification may cause you, and your parents or guardians, to be charged with a criminal violation and arrested.